Walking Backwards

Just got home from a night out with the girls. It was fun, I always forget how much I enjoy being out with like-minded women whom I can really talk to. I wish I could keep them in my pocket. I ended up being designated driver and dropped off three giggling girls who swear that the next time we go out there will kareoke. That I fear. The potato chips and beer(of course not for me) and good conversation was more than enough to make me happy.

Lately I've been feeling a little disconnected. During the summer heat, Nicholas and I hole up in the air-conditioning, in darkened rooms that insulate us from the driving heat of the Texas summer sun. The it rains and cools off and we emerge from our cocoons not knowing what to do. By the time we wake up to this newly rain-washed world, it will be all over and it will be time to go back into hiding. Life is going on and days are passing and I'm starting to forget how to get us out of this rut we've fallen into. The end of summer will be a rude awakening for us all.

The little boy is still asleep at quarter-til-nine. We all had a busy night last night. He got to go visit his friend Aiden and then we all went downtown to watch the symphony perform to the fireworks. It was great fun. The rain kept coming down, so we were soaked, but there were no mosquitoes and it wasn't hot and it wasn't crowded. Because of the rain we ended up with no pictures to commemorate Nicholas' first downtown fireworks show, sadly, but I think he'll remember it, if just for a few weeks.

This morning I am awake to a fever and stuffy head and constant sneezing. Unlike Joe, I do not believe for one minute sitting in the rain caused it. I think my allergies have gone mad from the amount of stuff in the air, like mold, and firework smoke. I'm a charming site with the glazed eyes and the red nose. Joe took the car this morning to avoid the rain on his bike and I am kind of thankful. I don't think I could drive having to wipe my nose and eyes every fifteen seconds and erupting in sneezing fits at the drop of a hat. I may just put off the plans to get things done in order to sit on the couch and cuddle under a blanket and watch movies. It will be nice for the fifteen seconds that Nico will sit with me before being driven crazy by my sneezing and constant nose wiping and set fire to the house.

This weekend's Baker's Dozen (and I promise this next week will be normal and I'll do entries every day, really . . . well, I'll try):

-1- Joe's motorcycle needed a new tire and new brake pads so we woke up early Friday to take his bike in and take him to work. I am reminded of what it is like driving in rush hour traffic.

-2- We went to the mall Friday afternoon, just me and Nicholas, and it was PACKED. Apparently the fourth of July is a five day weekend that I just didn't know about. We did get a cookie out of it.

-3- Saturday Joe took Nicholas so I could have the day off to get things done. Sans-baby I accomplish a lot.

-4- I drove over and helped to clean out a friend's yard. My allergies now have taken over my brain because I had forgotten about the dog.

-5- I spent over an hour at the fabric store going over patterns and fabric. They were having a big sale, but I ended up going out with very little. This pattern and this one.

-6- Went by Old Navy and got to try things on, but only bought one clearance shirt. Got to sit in Barnes and Nobles and look through books in peace.

-7- My day off ended early and I went home to prepare a dinner for a group of friends coming over.

-8- Five guests and their five kids can quickly destroy my house, but oh, it was so much fun.

-9- My head starts to hurt after two glasses of wine and I realize that I hadn't eaten in over twenty-four hours. Remedied that quickly with homemade pizza and blueberry buckle cake.

-10- Sunday, lots of sitting and napping and more sitting. Travis provides a break in the monotony for five minutes when he comes over to do laundry, but soon joins us in sitting and napping.

-11- Everyone has brought me books to borrow this weekend. I really need to get to that. They must be returned in a timely manner.

-12- Raining evening and my Psapp CD make for a nice mellow end to the weekend.

-13- Cooling their heels before dinner on Saturday